If you wish to have the official rule book go to THIS PAGE to purchase your own to carry with you for the times when a rule is needed when you are out playing!
General Rules of Pocket Billiards
These general rules apply to all pocket billiard games, UNLESS specifically noted to the contrary in the individual game rules.
TABLES, BALLS, EQUIPMENT
All games described in these rules are designed for tables, balls and equipment meeting the standards prescribed in the BCA Equipment Specifications.
RACKING THE BALLS
When racking the balls a triangle must be used, and the apex ball is to be spotted on the
foot spot. All the balls must be lined up behind the apex ball and pressed together so
that they all have contact with each other.
STRIKING CUE BALL
Legal shots require that the cue ball be struck only with the cue tip. Failure to meet
this requirement is a foul.
CALLING SHOTS
For games of call-shot a player may shoot any ball he chooses, but before he shoots, must
designate the called ball and called pocket. He need not indicate any detail such as
kisses, caroms, combinations, or cushions (all of which are legal). “Any additionally
pocketed ball(s) on a legal stroke is counted in the shooter’s favor.”
FAILURE TO POCKET A BALL
If a player fails to pocket a ball on a legal shot, then the player’s inning is over,
and it is the opponent’s turn at the table.
LAG FOR BREAK
The following procedure is used for the lag for the opening break. Each player should use
balls of equal size and weight (preferably cue balls but, when not available, non-striped
object balls). With the balls in hand behind the head string, one player to the left and
one to the right of the head spot, the balls are shot simultaneously to the foot cushion
and back to the head end of the table. The player whose ball is the closest to the
innermost edge of the head cushion wins the lag. The lagged ball must contact the foot
cushion at least once. Other cushion contacts are immaterial, except as prohibited below.
It is an automatic loss of the lag if:
The ball crosses into the opponent’s half of the table;
The ball fails to contact the foot cushion;
The ball drops into a pocket;
The ball jumps off the table;
The ball touches the long cushion;
The ball rests within the corner pocket and past the nose of the head cushion, or;
The ball contacts the foot rail more than once. If both players violate automatic-loss lag rules, or if the referee is unable to determine which ball is closer, the lag is a tie and is replayed.
OPENING BREAK SHOT
The opening break shot is determined by either lag or lot. (The lag for break procedure is
required for formal competition.) The player winning the lag or lot has the choice of
performing the opening break shot or assigning it to the opponent.
CUE BALL ON OPENING BREAK
The opening break shot is taken with cue ball in hand behind the head string. The object
balls are positioned according to specific game rules. On the opening break, the game is
considered to have commenced once the cue ball has been struck by the cue tip.
DEFLECTING THE CUE BALL ON THE GAME’S OPENING BREAK
On the break shot, stopping or deflecting the cue ball after it has crossed the head
string and prior to hitting the racked balls is considered a foul and loss of turn. The
opponent has the option of receiving cue ball in hand behind the head string or passing
the cue ball in hand behind the head string back to the offending player. (Exception:
9-Ball, see rule “Legal Break Shot”). A warning must be given that a second
violation during the match will result in the loss of the match by forfeiture.
CUE BALL IN HAND BEHIND THE HEAD STRING
This situation applies in specific games whereby the opening break is administered or a
player’s scratching is penalized by the incoming player having cue ball in hand
behind the head string. The incoming player may place the cue ball anywhere behind the
head string. The shooting player may shoot at any object ball as long as the base of the
object ball is on or below the head string. He may not shoot at any ball, the base of
which is above the head string, unless he first shoots the cue ball below the head string
and then by hitting a rail causes the cue ball to come back above the head string and hit
the object ball. The base of the ball (the point of the ball touching the table)
determines whether it is above or below the head string. If the incoming player
inadvertently places the cue ball on or below the head string, the referee or the opposing
player must inform the shooting player of improper positioning of the cue ball before the
shot is made. If the opposing player does not so inform the shooting player before the
shot is made, the shot is considered legal. If the shooting player is informed of improper
positioning, he must then reposition the cue ball. If a player positions the cue ball
completely and obviously outside the kitchen and shoots the cue ball, it is a foul. When
the cue ball is in hand behind the head string, it remains in hand (not in play) until the
player strikes the cue ball with his cue tip. The cue ball may be adjusted by the
player’s hand, cue, etc., so long as it remains in hand. Once the cue ball is in play
per the above, it may not be impeded in any way by the player; to do so is to commit a
foul. Additionally, if the shot fails to contact a legal object ball or fails to drive the
cue ball over the head string, the shot is a foul and the opposing player has ball in hand
according to the specific game rules.
POCKETED BALLS
A ball is considered pocketed if as a result of an otherwise legal shot, it drops off the
bed of the table into the pocket and remains there. (A ball that drops out of a ball
return system onto the floor is not to be construed as a ball that has not remained
pocketed.) A ball that rebounds from a pocket back onto the table bed is not a pocketed
ball.
POSITION OF BALLS
The position of a ball is judged by where its base (or center) rests.
FOOT ON FLOOR
Player must have at least one foot in contact with the floor at the moment the cue tip
contacts the cue ball, or the shot is a foul. Foot attire must be normal in regard to
size, shape and manner in which it is worn.
SHOOTING WITH BALLS IN MOTION
It is a foul if a player shoots while the cue ball or any object ball is in motion (a
spinning ball is in motion).
COMPLETION OF STROKE
A stroke is not complete (and therefore is not counted) until all balls on the table have
become motionless after the stroke (a spinning ball is in motion).
HEAD STRING DEFINED
The area behind the head string does not include the head string. Thus, an object ball
that is dead center on the head string is playable when specific game rules require that a
player must shoot at a ball past the head string. Likewise, the cue ball when being put in
play behind the head string (cue ball in hand behind the head string), may not be placed
directly on the head string; it must be behind it.
GENERAL RULE, ALL FOULS
Though the penalties for fouls differ from game to game, the following apply to all fouls:
Player’s inning ends;
If on a stroke, the stroke is invalid and any pocketed balls are not counted to the shooter’s credit, and;
Any ball(s) is re-spotted only if the rules of the specific game require it.
FAILURE TO CONTACT OBJECT BALL
It is a foul if on a stroke the cue ball fails to make contact with any legal object ball
first. Playing away from a touching ball does not constitute having hit that ball.
LEGAL SHOT
Unless otherwise stated in a specific game rule, a player must cause the cue ball to
contact a legal object ball and then:
Pocket a numbered ball, or;
Cause the cue ball or any numbered ball to contact a cushion or any part of the rail. Failure to meet these requirements is a foul.
CUE BALL SCRATCH
It is a foul (scratch) if on a stroke, the cue ball is pocketed. If the cue ball touches
an object ball that was already pocketed (for example, in a pocket full of object balls),
the shot is a foul.
FOULS BY TOUCHING BALLS
It is a foul to strike, touch or in any way make contact with the cue ball in play or any
object balls in play with anything (the body, clothing, chalk, mechanical bridge, cue
shaft, etc.) except the cue tip (while attached to the cue shaft), which may contact the
cue ball in the execution of a legal shot. Whenever a referee is presiding over a match,
any object ball moved during a standard foul must be returned as closely as possible to
its original position as judged by the referee, and the incoming player does not have the
option of restoration.
FOUL BY PLACEMENT
Touching any object ball with the cue ball while it is in hand is a foul.
FOULS BY DOUBLE HITS
If the cue ball is touching the required object ball prior to the shot, the player may
shoot toward it, providing that any normal stroke is employed. If the cue stick strikes
the cue ball more than once on a shot, or if the cue stick is in contact with the cue ball
when or after the cue ball contacts an object ball, the shot is a foul. If a third ball is
close by, care should be taken not to foul that ball under the first part of this rule.
PUSH SHOT FOULS
It is a foul if the cue ball is pushed by the cue tip, with contact being maintained for
more than the momentary time commensurate with a stroked shot. (Such shots are usually
referred to as push shots.)
PLAYER RESPONSIBILITY FOULS
The player is responsible for chalk, bridges, files and any other items or equipment he
brings to, uses at, or causes to approximate the table. If he drops a piece of chalk, or
knocks off a mechanical bridge head, as examples, he is guilty of a foul should such an
object make contact with any ball in play (or the cue ball only if no referee is presiding
over the match).
ILLEGAL JUMPING OF BALL
It is a foul if a player strikes the cue ball below center (“digs under” or
“lofts” the cue ball) and intentionally causes it to rise off the bed of the
table in an effort to clear an obstructing ball. Such jumping action may occasionally
occur accidentally, and such “jumps” are not to be considered fouls on their
face; they may still be ruled foul strokes, if for example, the ferrule or cue shaft makes
contact with the cue ball in the course of the shot.
JUMP SHOTS
Unless otherwise stated in rules for a specific game it is legal to cause the cue ball to
rise off the bed of the table by elevating the cue stick on the shot, and forcing the cue
ball to rebound from the bed of the table. Any miscue when executing a jump shot is a
foul.
BALLS JUMPED OFF TABLE
Balls coming to rest other than on the bed of the table after a stroke (on the cushion
top, rail surface, floor, etc.) are considered jumped balls. Balls may bounce on the
cushion tops and rails of the table in play without being jumped balls if they return to
the bed of the table under their own power and without touching anything not a part of the
table. The table shall consist of the permanent part of the table proper. (Balls that
strike or touch anything not a part of the table, such as the light fixture, chalk on the
rails and cushion tops, etc., shall be considered jumped balls even though they might
return to the bed of the table after contacting items which are not parts of the table
proper). In all pocket billiard games, when a stroke results in the cue ball or any object
ball being a jumped ball off the table, the stroke is a foul. All jumped object balls are
spotted (except in 8 and 9-Ball) when all balls have stopped moving. See specific game
rules for putting the cue ball in play after a jumped cue ball foul.
SPECIAL INTENTIONAL FOUL PENALTY
The cue ball in play shall not be intentionally struck with anything other than a
cue’s attached tip (such as the ferrule, shaft, etc.). While such contact is
automatically a foul under the provisions of Rule “Legal Shot,” if the referee
deems the contact to be intentional, he shall warn the player once during a match that a
second violation during that match will result in the loss of the match by forfeiture. If
a second violation does occur, the match must be forfeited.
ONE FOUL LIMIT
Unless specific game rules dictate otherwise, only one foul is assessed on a player in
each inning; if different penalties can apply, the most severe penalty is the factor
determining which foul is assessed.
BALLS MOVING SPONTANEOUSLY
If a ball shifts, settles, turns or otherwise moves “by itself,” the ball shall
remain in the position it assumed and play continues. A hanging ball that falls into a
pocket “by itself” after being motionless for 5 seconds or longer shall be
replaced as closely as possible to its position prior to falling, and play shall continue.
If an object ball drops into a pocket “by itself” as a player shoots at it, so
that the cue ball passes over the spot the ball had been on, unable to hit it, the cue
ball and object ball are to be replaced to their positions prior to the stroke, and the
player may shoot again. Any other object balls disturbed on the stroke are also to be
replaced to their original positions before the shooter replays.
SPOTTING BALLS
When specific game rules call for spotting balls, they shall be replaced on the table on
the long string after the stroke is complete. A single ball is placed on the foot spot; if
more than one ball is to be spotted, they are placed on the long string in ascending
numerical order, beginning on the foot spot and advancing toward the foot rail. When balls
on or near the foot spot or long string interfere with the spotting of balls, the balls to
be spotted are placed on the extension of the long string “in front” of the foot
spot (between the foot spot and the center spot), as near as possible to the foot spot and
in the same numerical order as if they were spotted “behind” the foot spot
(lowest numbered ball closest to the foot spot).
JAWED BALLS
If two or more balls are locked between the jaws or sides of the pocket, with one or more
suspended in air, the referee shall inspect the balls in position and follow this
procedure: he shall visually (or physically if he desires) project each ball directly
downward from its locked position; any ball that in his judgement would fall in the pocket
if so moved directly downward is a pocketed ball, while any ball that would come to rest
on the bed of the table is not pocketed. The balls are then placed according to the
referee’s assessment, and play continues according to specific game rules as if no
locking or jawing of balls had occurred.
ADDITIONAL POCKETED BALLS
If extra balls are pocketed on a legal scoring stroke, they are counted in accord with the
scoring rules for the particular game.
NON-PLAYER INTERFERENCE
If the balls are moved (or a player bumped such that play is directly affected) by a
non-player during the match, the balls shall be replaced as near as possible to their
original positions immediately prior to the incident, and play shall resume with no
penalty on the player affected. If the match is officiated, the referee shall replace the
balls. This rule also applies to “act of God” interferences, such as
earthquakes, hurricanes, light fixture falling, power failures, etc. If the balls cannot
be restored to their original positions, replay the game with the original player
breaking. This rule is not applicable to 14.1 Continuous where the game consists of
successive racks: the rack in progress will be discontinued and a completely new rack will
be started with the requirements of the normal opening break (players lag for break).
Scoring of points is to be resumed at the score as it stood at the moment of game
disruption.
BREAKING SUBSEQUENT RACKS
In a match that consists of short rack games, the winner of each game breaks in the next.
The following are common options that may be designated by tournament officials in
advance:
Players alternate break.
Loser breaks.
Player trailing in game count breaks the next game.
PLAY BY INNINGS
During the course of play, players alternate turns (innings) at the table, with a
player’s inning ending when he either fails to legally pocket a ball, or fouls. When
an inning ends free of a foul, the incoming player accepts the table in position.
OBJECT BALL FROZEN TO CUSHION OR CUE BALL
This rule applies to any shot where the cue ball’s first contact with a ball is with
one that is frozen to a cushion or to the cue ball itself. After the cue ball makes
contact with the frozen object ball, the shot must result in either:
A ball being pocketed, or;
The cue ball contacting a cushion, or;
The frozen ball being caused to contact a cushion attached to a separate rail, or;
Another object ball being caused to contact a cushion with which it was not already in contact.
Failure to satisfy one of those four requirements is a foul. (Note: 14.1 and other games specify additional requirements and applications of this rule; see specific game rules.) A ball which is touching a cushion at the start of a shot and then is forced into a cushion attached to the same rail is not considered to have been driven to that cushion unless it leaves the cushion, contacts another ball, and then contacts the cushion again. An object ball is not considered frozen to a cushion unless it is examined and announced as such by either the referee or one of the players prior to that object ball being involved in a shot.
PLAYING FROM BEHIND THE STRING
When a player has the cue ball in hand behind the head string (in the kitchen), he must
drive the cue ball to a point across the head string before it contacts either a cushion,
an object ball, or returns to the kitchen. Failure to do so is a foul if a referee is
presiding over a match. If no referee, the opponent has the option to call it either a
foul or to require the offending player to replay the shot again with the balls restored
to their positions prior to the shot (and with no foul penalty imposed). Exception: if an
object ball lies on or outside the head string (and is thus playable) but so close that
the cue ball contacts it before the cue ball is out of the kitchen, the ball can be
legally played, and will be considered to have crossed the head string. If, with cue ball
in hand behind the headstring and while the shooter is attempting a legitimate shot, the
cue ball accidentally hits a ball behind the head string, and the cue ball crosses the
line, it is a foul. If with cue ball in hand behind the head string, the shooter causes
the cue ball to hit an object ball accidentally, and the cue ball does not cross the
headstring, the following applies: the incoming player has the option of calling a foul
and having cue ball in hand, or having the balls returned to their original position, and
having the offending player replay the shot. If a player under the same conditions
intentionally causes the cue ball to contact an object ball behind the headstring, it is
unsportsmanlike conduct.
CUE BALL IN HAND FOUL
During cue ball in hand placement, the player may use his hand or any part of his cue
(including the tip) to position the cue ball. When placing the cue ball in position, any
forward stroke motion of the cue stick contacting the cue ball will be considered a foul
if not a legal shot.
INTERFERENCE
If the non-shooting player distracts his opponent or interferes with his play, he has
fouled. If a player shoots out of turn, or moves any ball except during his inning, it is
considered to be interference.
DEVICES
Players are not allowed to use a ball, the triangle or any other width-measuring device to
see if the cue ball or an object ball would travel through a gap, etc. Only the cue stick
may be used as an aid to judge gaps or as an aid to aligning a shot, so long as the cue is
held by the hand. To do so otherwise is a foul and unsportsmanlike conduct.
ILLEGAL MARKING
If a player intentionally marks the table in any way (including the placement of chalk) to
assist in executing the shot, it is a foul.
DISCLAIMER: This file contains property copyrighted by the Billiard Congress of
America. Any modification or sale of the information herein is strictly prohibited by the
laws governing that copyright. Please direct questions regarding interpretation of the
following, or information on how to receive the current BCA Official Rules & Records
Handbook to the Billiard Congress of America at 4345 Beverly St., Suite D, Colorado
Springs, CO 80918. Phone: 719.264.8300, Fax: 719.264.0900.